NATO critic Calin Georgescu’s victory in last year’s first round vote was annulled by the Constitutional Court
An appeals court in Romania has suspended the Constitutional Court’s (CRR) decision to annul the result of last year’s presidential election first round, won unexpectedly by independent candidate Calin Georgescu, local media outlets reported on Thursday.
Georgescu, a vocal NATO critic and opponent of arming Ukraine, made the headlines in November 2024 after securing 23% of the vote in the first round of the election. The Constitutional Court later invalidated the result, citing “irregularities” in his campaign and intelligence reports alleging Russian interference – claims Moscow has denied.
On Thursday, Judge Alexandru Vasile of the Ploiesti Court of Appeal overturned the annulment, according to HotNews. The prosecutor’s office attached to the Ploiesti court has filed such an appeal.
George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party, welcomed the decision as a “return to democracy” and constitutional order in a post on X. He added, however, that the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) – which barred Georgescu from running in a planned May vote – “ignores it and continues its activity.”
In February, Georgescu was indicted on six criminal charges, including allegedly plotting “anti-constitutional acts” and “promoting fascist, racist, or xenophobic ideologies.” He has denied all the charges, insisting the criminal case against him is part of a campaign orchestrated by the Romanian “deep state.”
The politician, who is under a 60-day travel ban as part of judicial oversight, will remain under court supervision for another 60 days, according to media reports.
Preliminary findings of an investigation into the “irregularities” found they were likely caused by consulting firm associated with the pro-Western National Liberal Party (PNL) running an campaign on behalf of an opponent of Georgescu, which backfired.